Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

As Senators Keane and Landy have just noted, this provision does not in any way preclude any decisions in respect of devolution. This part of the Bill relates to section 3(1) of the 1971 Act and consequently, this is not about precluding any devolution of functions or powers to local government. This provision is specific to this particular area and as I have already stated, the default position is that a service is delivered locally. This is where a decision is being made to deliver it either regionally or centrally. Consequently, it does not in any way preclude decisions in respect of further devolution of powers.